Festival was real community effort (From Gazette & Herald)

Festival was real community effort

9:50am Wednesday 30th May 2012 in Letters

MAY I, through your columns, thank everyone who contributed to the Food Lovers Festival last week.

When Malton Community Interest Company (CIC) was launched last year, we were clear that its aim was to work both with and for the community.

It has been a very heartening experience to see the way the whole community worked together to welcome 20,000 people to the Market Place over the two days of the festival.

When we asked for volunteers to help the CIC, more than 30 people put themselves forward to help with tasks such as traffic management, wristband sales and information provision.

Local firm Country Warmth provided the demonstration kitchens, and all of our chefs, both near and far, contributed their time and culinary skills without charge.

Ryedale District Council’s StreetScene team cheerfully ensured the Market Place was kept clean and bins emptied and Malton Town Council had the forethought to string festive bunting around the town.

Together with the contributions made by people choosing to support the festival by purchasing wristbands, all this help ensures that Malton CIC can continue to showcase our town as Yorkshire’s finest.

Thank you to one and all.

TOM NAYLOR-LEYLAND, Festival organiser/director, Malton CIC